Chapter 378
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Celeste quickly nodded to Zachary, then turned to Caleb and said, “Sorry, I can’t go to the cafeteria with you.”
Caleb responded gently, “It’s okay.”
With that, Celeste left.
Caleb watched as she and Zachary walked away and then went to the cafeteria by himself.
He hadn’t taken a break in a while, and two days after meeting Celeste, his official leave began.
During those two days, he hadn’t seen her again.
When he returned home, no one in his family knew he was on leave–everyone was busy with their own things and not at home.
When Jorge heard he was back, he asked him out for a meal
While they were eating, Xavier couldn’t help but gossip to Caleb.
“Didn’t expect that Ms. Locket, the woman Jorge likes, turns out to be Cayden Sweeney’s student. She’s really something.”
Caleb wasn’t familiar with the AI development and didn’t know who Cayden was.
Xavier knew that Caleb wouldn’t know. He himself hadn’t known either, until recently–thanks to Jorge, he’d learned a little.
Caleb normally had little interest in these kinds of topics.
But after a moment, as if recalling something, he suddenly asked, “Between Cayden Sweeney and our country’s Mr. Zachary Newman, who has more influence in the AI field?”
Xavier wasn’t sure.
But Jorge knew. “Mr. Newman.”
Zachary had once single–handedly achieved multiple innovative breakthroughs in AI, and led a team that broke through various foreign technological blockades imposed on Ceravelle in the AI industry.
He had paved the way for the country’s current advancements. He had become someone the international community deeply respected and even feared.
It could be said that Ceravelle’s success in AI today owed much to Zachary.
Cayden might be impressive, but he still fell short compared to Zachary.
Even though Jorge wasn’t fond of Matthias, he could separate that from his respect for Zachary-
Zachary was Zachary, Matthias was Matthias.
Caleb rarely asked about things that had nothing to do with him. So, it was a little unusual for him to ask something like this today.
Still, considering Zachary’s reputation and their familiarity with him, neither Jorge nor Xavier found the question odd.
After that topic ended, Jorge suddenly chuckled and said, “A while ago, when I had dinner with my mom and your mom. Your mom mentioned she was picking out a blind date for you. Now that you’re back, I doubt you’ll be able
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Chapter 378
to avoid it this time.”
Caleb was of marriageable age. His family had started bringing it up at the beginning of last year.
Back then, he didn’t object and didn’t really care either. 1
But now…
He lowered his gaze and didn’t respond.
That evening, after barely spending any time with his family, Caleb received a call. His leave was abruptly cut short, and he rushed back to the base.
He didn’t know if Celeste had already left the base, or was just off on some other task.
Three days later, after completing a mission, he returned to the data center but Celeste was not there.
Two more days passed. He checked the data center again–still no sign of her.
It wasn’t until four or five days later, after coming back from another mission, that he finally saw Celeste again- this time, in the cafeteria.
He paused when he saw her sitting there, head down, quietly eating.
A moment later, he walked over and sat across from her.
Seeing him, Celeste smiled faintly. “You’re back?”
“Mm. Just got back.” Looking at her, Caleb added, “I didn’t see you last week–thought maybe you’d already left the base.”
Celeste replied, “No, I’ve been here. I just haven’t been spending all my time in the data center.”
Caleb nodded and then asked a question that had been on his mind, “When are you leaving the base?”
Celeste thought it was just small talk and didn’t think too much of it. “Tomorrow.“.
Caleb paused. “That soon?”
“It’s not. I’ve been here for over ten days already.” As she said this, she finished eating.
She wiped the corners of her lips and said, “I’m done eating. Take your time. I’ll just-”
Before she could finish, Caleb suddenly asked, “Ms. Rodriguez, do you have a boyfriend?”
Celeste was stunned–she hadn’t expected that at all.
2
Before she could react, Caleb continued, “If you’re single, what do you think of me?” 2
He knew it was a bit abrupt of him to suddenly say that to her. But with how busy they both were, and how rarely she seemed to come to the base, opportunities to talk like this were few and far between.
Who knew when they’d even meet again?
Besides, someone else might make a move before him.
That’s when Celeste finally realized–this was a confession
Seeing her surprised expression, as if the thought had never even crossed her mind, Caleb said, “You don’t have to answer right away. I just wanted to let you know if you ever want a relationship, or to get married and have a family, I hope you’ll consider-”
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“I’m sorry.” Celeste came back to her senses. With a hint of awkwardness, she gently interrupted him.
“Thank you for your feelings, but I’ve already been married”
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Chapter 379
